ECHOES BEYOND THE DOOR || Hisoka X OC

020 || The Rope That Binds

She flailed, her fingers desperately clawing for anything to grab onto, but there was only air. The world tilted violently as she plummeted, crashing through smaller branches on the way down. She hit the ground with a loud thud, the air driven from her lungs as pain exploded across her back and shoulders. For a moment, she lay sprawled on the forest floor, gasping for breath and struggling to comprehend what had just happened.

Above her, a laugh echoed through the trees. "Aw, did I knock the little bird from her nest?" The voice was light with a mocking tone set Quasar's teeth on edge. She blinked rapidly, trying to force her vision to steady as a tall, slender figure dropped from the branches above, landing a few feet away with ease.

The man stood under the pale light of the moon, his messy brown hair catching the faint glow. A small monkey clung to his shoulder, its tail wrapped tightly around his neck. Recognition sparked in her mind as she remembered him from the earlier phases, #118.

"Nice bag you've got there," he said, his condescending tone grating. He crouched slightly, his thick eyebrows raising in mock curiosity. "I was wondering if it'd be worth my time to grab it. Figured I'd knock you down and see for myself."

Quasar grit her teeth, her body aching from the fall as she pushed herself up onto one elbow. "I'm your target?" she rasped, her voice strained but firm.

The man shrugged casually, the monkey on his shoulder chittering. "No but that doesn't mean I can't help myself to a few extras, now does it? Your badge, your bag, whatever goodies you've got stashed in there... It's all fair game."

Quasar's eyes narrowed as she forced herself into a sitting position, her hand instinctively brushing over her jacket where her badge was pinned. She clenched her jaw, the sharp pain radiating from her back making it difficult to think straight.

She gripped the scabbard of her stolen sword. She unsheathed it slowly, the dull scrape of metal on leather cutting through the air as she raised the blade in front of her. "You're not getting anything from me."

The man straightened, a smile spreading across his face. "Oh? You're gonna fight me?" He tilted his head, his expression mockingly thoughtful. "Hate to break it to you, sweetheart, but you look like you're about to keel over. Falling from that high? Ouch. That's gotta sting."

Quasar ignored his taunts, her knuckles whitening as she gripped the hilt of the sword. She stood shakily, pain flaring in her knees and lower back as she rose to her feet. Her body protested every movement, but she refused to back down.

The man rolled his shoulders lazily, as though entirely unconcerned by her defiance. "Fine, if you're that eager to lose, who am I to say no?" With that, he lunged forward, his movements fast and deliberate. The monkey leapt from his shoulder, scuttling into the branches above as if to watch the fight from a safe distance.

Quasar barely had time to react. She swung the sword clumsily, her aching arms slowing her strike. He sidestepped easily, ducking low and sweeping her legs out from under her with a sharp kick. She hit the ground hard, her sword skidding out of reach.

"Not much of a fighter, are you?" he sneered, looming over her. His foot shot out, aiming for her ribs, but Quasar rolled to the side just in time, the toe of his boot grazing her instead of landing fully.

Adrenaline surged through her veins, dulling the pain as she scrambled to her feet. She darted toward her sword, grabbing it just as the man lunged again. This time, she swung upward with all her strength, the blade slicing through the air between them. He jumped back, avoiding the blow but losing the cocky grin in the process.

Quasar didn't have time to react as the man moved with startling speed. His long legs closed the distance between them in an instant, and before she could bring her sword up in defense, he struck. His foot slammed into her side, sending her sprawling to the ground. She landed hard on her stomach, the air knocked out of her lungs with a cough. The rough forest floor scratched her face, dirt and leaves clinging to her as she lay momentarily stunned.